To go to the GP for this?

[user1471496670]

I've been a long time lurker but this is my first post so be gentle!
I'm 38 years old, separated and have decided at this stage in my life I really want a baby!
My husband never wanted children but my new partner does and we're very keen to start trying while we've still got a bit of time on our side.
At my partner's suggestion I've made an appointment at the GP for next week to discuss what we need to do to prepare...folic acid etc
But....is this the done thing or will the GP look at us like we're mad? Should I just be googling such things? I'm a well educated professional but literally clueless when it comes to ttc! But obviously don't want to waste a GP appointment if it's unnecessary.

Just take folic at least 3 months before you get pregnant and that's about it.

Lonecat, I thought that the advice to "clear the pill" out of your system is because conceiving right after coming off it increases the chances of multiple pregnancies, not sure by how much.

They don't do the Rubella testing anymore, that stopped in April.

Have you watched the programme Alex Jones made called "Fertility and me" its all about fertility after 35 - you might find it interesting. It's on bbciplayer.

I split with my exdh (no kids, he was infertile) when I was 36, met dh married a year later and ttc straight away. I was 38 when dd was born and just turned 40 when ds came along.

Good luck!!!

I thought the 3 month advice was to make it easier for you to work out dates - ie give you time to get your normal cycle back. I didn't follow this advice and no one seemed bothered as they just go by the 12 week dating scan anyway

think it is a good plan as if you did have any fertility issues they want To see a certain period of ttc before they will start any interventions or tests so having this on your file is good now.

I'm going to disagree with PP and say that it IS a good idea to go to the doctor. It's definitely worth checking whether you are immune to rubella (German measles) as getting it during pregnancy can cause birth defects. If you check beforehand, you can get immunised before TTC and then not have to worry about it. I think you have to wait 4-6 weeks after the immunisation to TTC but obviously it's worth getting it.

There is so much information available freely without having to waste a valuable GP appointment. The NHS is stretched enough with people struggling to get doctors appointments up and down the country on a daily basis.

Helloooomeee that sounds awful

user1471496670 yes you should probably get a move on with it. At least you've found out in time to do something about it though.

I'd be making an appointment with a solicitor rather than your gp. Your stbx can in theory legally register the birth and name your baby if you're still married!

If you're civil then you can get the divorce and consent order finalised in a matter of months. Don't wait. Believe me. An ex of mine was in the same situation when his ex got pregnant, caused all manner of probs when her hormones kicked in!

And again, Rubella screening is not offered anymore.

www.nhs.uk/Conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/Pages/screening-blood-test-infectious-diseases-pregnant.aspx

I'd ask for a phone consultation with the nurse, you'll need a rubella antibody titre and maybe ask about other jabs such as whooping cough or flu prior to conceiving. Start taking folic acid immediately

I had flu jab while ttc and they suggest it for during. Same as whooping cough. You don't get rubella screening anymore. My sisters had it but I haven't.

Sorry to clarify whooping cough is during pregnancy.

Most people know if they've been immunised for Rubella anyway. The vaccine has been routine since before women of child bearing age were due it.

They won't give you flu ttc either. Not even if you're having IVF.

I wouldn't! Just do the sensible stuff...stop contraceptives, keep yourself in shape, stop any toxins like alcohol, cigarettes. Eat lots of healthy stuff especially leafy greens and Marmite for your folic acid then DTD...a lot!

They won't take a blood test for rubella but a check is to ensure you have two recorded doses of mmr. It is still recommended that people under 40 with no record should be immunised if incomplete or no record.

HP records can be incomplete op but if you are able to ask your parents may have record of them. This is worth checking because if you need these you will need avoid concieving for a couple of months.

As a nurse working in a gp I would not view this as a wasted appt.

Obviously I can only speak for myself, but I conceived DD1 a week after coming off the Pill 💊, with no problems, and conceived DD3 when I was 38, again no problems with the pregnancy and birth. It took me three and a half years to conceive her (DD3) but there were other factors going on there. I was just taking my usual multivitamin and mineral supplement during this time, switching to a pregnancy supplement once I found out I was expecting. In the OP's case I would just start taking a pre conception supplement and get on with the necessary. I certainly wouldn't bother waiting three months, especially not at 38.

Billy is right. I wasnt offered my flu vaccination as part of ttc. I took two years to conceive, I had a flu vaccination routinely the month before.

At 38 I'd probably see the gp, as pp have said some are happy to accept you've been trying for 6 months but some will send you away again for 6 months before they'll start doing ant fertility tests.

I'd pay for the flu vaccine if ttc, it's usually less then £10 but is more than worth it to protect against flu.

Re the rubella screening, immunity doesn't always last even if you've had two MMR vaccinations. When pregnant with dd2 it was found I was no longer immune even though I'd had four MMR vaccines and had a mild case of rubella. If I were to ttc again I'd need to be screened for immunity.

Unless there is any reason to think you aren't rubella immune, folic acid, regular unprotected sex x2-3 per month and see your GP if you aren't pregnant at six months (not one year because of your age).

EY. I ça 8ish

GPs are massively overworked. I really don't think there's any need to make an appointment. You're not ill, after all. Come off the pill, take the folic acid and get on with it.